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Tech Time: New 5G industry body formed; Telefónica, China Unicom ink IoT deal

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Tech Time: New 5G industry body formed; Telefónica, China Unicom ink IoT deal

In this feature, S&P Global Market Intelligence presents a global roundup of the latest developments in technology.

TOP STORIES

* Telecom operators, tech firms and a number of other companies have teamed up to set up 5G Slicing Association, a new industry body that will work to tackle requirements and potential applications for 5G network slicing, according to a Feb. 27 news release. The founding members of the organization include China Mobile Ltd., Deutsche Telekom AG, Digital Domain, Fraunhofer FOKUS, GE, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., CEPRI of SGCC, Tencent Holdings Ltd., Telecom Italia SpA and Volkswagen AG.

* Spanish telecom giant Telefónica SA has agreed to team up with China Unicom in the field of internet of things, or IoT. The deal will see the two companies gaining access to each other's networks while working together to deploy IoT services across their respective footprints.

CLOUD

* Microsoft Corp. teamed up with Xiaomi Corp. to work on cloud computing, artificial intelligence and devices, according to a Feb. 23 news release.

* Sprint Corp. on Feb. 20 launched Sprint Secure Web, a cloud-based security platform to provide businesses secure access to the internet and cloud-based applications.

5G AND THE INTERNET OF THINGS

* Saudi Telecom Co. teamed up with Cisco Systems Inc. to develop 5G communication systems and networks in Saudi Arabia, according to a Feb. 28 news release.

* ZTE Corp. struck a partnership with MTN Group Ltd. on 5G commercialization in the Middle East and Africa, according to a Feb. 28 news release.

* Sprint said Feb. 27 that it is preparing Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., for 5G services.

* T-Mobile US Inc. on Feb. 27 unveiled plans to build out 5G network in 30 U.S. cities in 2018.

* The Federal Communications Commission plans to hold a high-band spectrum auction before the end of 2018, in an effort to move the U.S. forward on 5G deployment.

* Telstra Corp. Ltd. has tapped Ericsson AB to upgrade its mobile network, as part of an infrastructure transformation program in preparation for 5G, according to a Feb. 25 news release.

* Telefónica said Feb. 23 that it reached a deal with Huawei to deploy 4.5G networks in Bogotá, Monterrey and Rio de Janeiro.

* Swiss operator Swisscom AG said Feb. 22 that it plans to commercially roll out a 5G mobile network in select areas toward the end of 2018.

* Alphabet Inc. unit Google Inc. agreed to buy LogMeIn Inc. unit Xively, an IoT platform, according to a Feb. 15 company post.

* AT&T Inc. has joined forces with Ericsson to develop new professional services capabilities for IoT.

VIRTUAL REALITY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

* Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. said Feb. 28 that it has opened an AI-focused research center in Singapore.

* Telefónica on Feb. 25 launched its AI-powered digital assistant Aura.

* Sony Corp. will form a joint venture with five taxi operators in Japan to build an AI-powered taxi dispatch system, the Nikkei Asian Review reported Feb. 20.

* National CineMedia Inc. said Feb. 20 that it is introducing interactive augmented reality gaming in U.S. theaters this spring.

DRONES AND OTHER DEVICES

* Apple Inc. is working to unveil three new iPhones later this year, Bloomberg News reported Feb. 26, citing sources.

* California's Department of Motor Vehicles on Feb. 26 approved regulations that would allow public testing and deployment of cars without drivers on the state's roads as early as April.